Photo: Andy Farnsworth
Inscription
CANADIAN PEACEKEEPING MEMORIAL — In the Service of Peace Blue Beret Memorial Park, Veterans Square The Canadian Peacekeeping Memorial was erected by the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter, to honour all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served with Canada prior to and since Confederation. The monument was dedicated by Padre Shawn Samson and unveiled by Her Honour Eve Roberts and Mrs. Alice Murphy, Silver Cross Mother, on August 9, 2006. The City of St. John's renamed this area "Blue Beret Memorial Park", Veterans Square. The soldier immortalized in the sculpture pays tribute to the men and women from Newfoundland and Labrador who served and the many who paid the supreme sacrifice In the Service of Peace in the Korean Conflict, in struggles attributed to the Cold War, and as United Nations Peacekeepers in various worldwide locations too numerous to mention. The Canadian Forces assumed a peacekeeping role in 1956 when Lester B. Pearson, who had served as Minister of External Affairs and President of the United Nations General Assembly, spearheaded the creation of a neutral United Nations force to maintain peace in the Suez Canal region. The memorial also recognizes and salutes the proud members of the Canadian Forces who continue to serve NATO, the United Nations and Canada through their self-sacrifice and devotion to duty as modern-day peacekeepers worldwide, and the defence of the human rights of those who cannot defend themselves has been their challenge. Their sacrifice and that of their families In the Service of Peace will not be forgotten. Designed by: Monument Committee, Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter Sculpted by: Mr. Gerald Squires, Artist-Sculptor Members of the Canadian Contingent serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), are seen at an observation Post in Trakhomas. UN Photo/BZ (27/03/1964) M-113 APCs of the Canadian Contingent on patrol near Nicosia, Cyprus. UN Photo/ Yutaka Nagata, (28/08/1974) He plays happily with his Tonka truck She dresses her dolly in satin and lace Who would think these little angels Would become the keepers of our peace? For those who God has chosen To keep our world so free Have a special light that burns so bright In their hearts for you and me They bravely wear the "uniform" And when to duty they must go They step aboard an airplane For a country they don't know Loved ones weep and say goodbye And say "we'll miss you every day When you are far away from home But we know it has to be this way" Families smile through their tears And hug them so tight Saying "here's a part of our heart To keep with you day and night" When you are far away from home You will know, at least That part of us is there with you Our guardian of the Peace Financial support from the City of St. John's and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Numerous other companies, organizations, and individuals who generously donated goods or services. Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association NL (CPVA) Monument Committee and its members.